05-26-2012, 09:56 PM
In August of 1998, the U.S. Open Chess Championship was played at the Kona Surf Resort. I didn't play in it but I checked out the action and watched many of the world's best do battle. For the first time, a woman won the title. Judit Polgar (youngest of the 3 grandmaster sisters) tied for first with Boris Gulko. I almost didn't drive out there from Hilo but I figured it would be my only chance ever to see that level of play.
Sadly the state of chess on the Big Island is not very strong. Maybe this "chess in Keaau" will boost interest. The following link to the Hawaii Chess Federation also shows that the scholastic participation from the neighbor isles is almost nil as I see only representatives from Oahu schools in the scholastic tournament news. Given the population of Oahu and the number of schools, I'd have to say even Oahu's participation in chess could be greatly improved.
http://www.hawaiichess.com/
Sadly the state of chess on the Big Island is not very strong. Maybe this "chess in Keaau" will boost interest. The following link to the Hawaii Chess Federation also shows that the scholastic participation from the neighbor isles is almost nil as I see only representatives from Oahu schools in the scholastic tournament news. Given the population of Oahu and the number of schools, I'd have to say even Oahu's participation in chess could be greatly improved.
http://www.hawaiichess.com/